Can stress cause a stroke?

[Text on screen: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Can stress cause a stroke?]

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[Text on screen: Matthew Gusler, DO
Osteopathic Physician
Ohio State Wexner Medical Center] 

Matthew Gusler, DO: The short answer is yes, but usually not directly. Stress can be associated with higher blood pressure, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol use, even poor diet leading to high cholesterol. So yes, stress can cause a stroke.

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What I tell people is, while stress can cause a stroke, it's normally not like I can say, oh, you were stressed, and I can stop there. I have to go looking for other causes of stroke. That said, steps that people can take to decrease stress, such as building in time to your schedule for quiet and reflection, 

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prioritizing exercise, and regular sleep can all help to prevent stress and decrease risk for future stroke.

[Text on screen: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
For more information, visit: wexnermedical.osu.edu/stroke]

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